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Moving from an array of disparate solutions to component-based IFS Applications has enable Cozzini Inc. to grow its operations in the Americas and Europe. Greater business visibility, more efficient flows and easier access to business-critical information give Cozzini the agility it needs to remain a cut above the competition. Difficult to Access Business-Critical Information
Corporate Director of Information Systems, Tony Alcaraz, outlines some of the challenges that led Cozzini to look for new enterprise applications to replace its legacy systems. “We were in effect two companies—a manufacturing company and a service company. We were living with information silos, with much of our information on spreadsheets, and integration was a new concept to us. This made it difficult to finds things such as bills of materials (BOMs), orders, and customer spare parts. It was also difficult to access the information we needed for our accounting and engineering processes. Then there was the so-called Y2K problem.” In addition, the company had plans to transition into a larger organization with scalable processes, and previous acquisitions meant that a variety of systems was being used. “We were also looking for manufacturing software,” adds Alcaraz.
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Global Solution, Viable Vendor
Cozzini turned to a firm of consultants for advice in deciding which ERP vendor to collaborate with. “We sent out a number of RFQs, and the response we got from IFS was very good. We saw a viable vendor that was going to be around for a long time and that could offer us a solution that supported our plans for global growth. We were impressed by the scalability and agility of the applications IFS offered. Another key factor in our decision to select IFS was the fact that IFS Applications was run on an Oracle database,” explains Alcaraz. In addition, the consultants recommended IFS Applications on the basis that it best matched Cozzini’s business requirements.
Integrated Applications Improved Margins
Implementing IFS Applications meant that Cozzini solved the integration issued that arose when the company was running a range of disparate systems. For example, making cost information flows available in the financials software was a major help in improving decision-making capabilities at various levels throughout the organization. In fact, IFS has generally made company processes more visible. All business and operational flows are readily available to head office and have improved efficiencies and streamlined operations. Pricing is another area that benefited. The visibility enable by IFS Applications lets Cozzini monitor its pricing processes more closely. Applying individual pricing principles, the company can set triggers for certain margins, and e-mails are automatically sent out to alert those responsible when margins targets are not being met. Spare parts sales are a major part of Cozzini’s business. Thanks to IFS Applications, the company has improved its margins in this area and can keep track of all the transactions taking place in its complex supply chain.
Satisfied Users and Easier Upgrades
“Our users are happy as well,” says Alcaraz. “In fact some of the toughest critics of what was then the new ERP software have become its greatest ambassadors.” Alcaraz continues, “We’ve upgraded a number of times and each time it has been easier and taken less time despite the fact that we’re running IFS at more sites and in different countries. This is partly because IFS improved the way it delivered its upgrades and partly because subsequent versions have enabled us to eliminate practically all the modifications we hade made to the original version. Moreover, we carried out the upgrades with our own staff for the most part. Typical is our site in Denmark, which went live after just four months on time and on budget with only a small implementation team. My advice to other companies is to learn to utilize the agility of IFS Applications and avoid modifications unless they are absolutely necessary.” Today, Cozzini has almost 100 users of IFS Applications and an IT support staff equivalent to just one and a half full-time positions. Alcaraz concludes, “IFS is a bridge-builder between business and technology. We don’t know what we’d do without IFS today.”
Facts about Cozzini
With a history spanning more than 100 years, Cozzini Inc. is a manufacturer of industrial food preparation equipment and knife sharpening equipment as well as cutting edges. Headquartered in Chicago, U.S.A., Cozzini Inc. has offices in Europe, Latin America and Central America and has approximately 350 employees. Its main manufacturing models are engineer to order (ETO) and make to order (MTO).
Benefits
- Greater visibility for more accurate decision-making
- Better control of pricing
- More efficient and more profitable spare parts sales
- Satisfied, more efficient users
- Integrated business processes
Software
- IFS Distribution™
- IFS Financials™
- IFS Manufacturing™
- IFS Engineering™
- IFS Document Management™
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“IFS is a bridge-builder between business and technology. We don’t know what we’d do without IFS today.” Tony Alcaraz Corporate Director of Information Systems
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